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I’m proud to promote youth at Man United – Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has praised his own record of promoting young talent at Manchester United – as opposed to signing new players from different cultures.

During his time at United, Van Gaal has continued the proud club tradition of having at least one youth team player included in a match-day squad for every game since 1937.

Jesse Lingard and Paddy McNair are among those who Van Gaal has trusted in his senior ranks since being appointed in 2014, and the Dutchman believes this approach is better than signing players from abroad.

“As a manager I am well aware that it is much better to produce players from your own youth education, from your own culture, than to buy players from another culture or country or something like that,” Van Gaal said.

“And I have provided a lot of examples in my managerial career of that. It is not a surprise for my board because they know.”

Another youth player promoted by Van Gaal is Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, who came on as a second-half substitute in the victory over West Brom on Saturday.

Van Gaal was full of praise for the 18-year-old left-back, telling MUTV: “I have seen him once or twice and I have been impressed by him.

“I knew that Marouane Fellaini was injured, so I talked with Warren Joyce and asked what he had for me.

“I’m always talking with him or Paul McGuinness, and he said at the moment the left full-back is in good shape. I needed a left full-back because Marcos Rojo had played a few games in a row, so I have to take into account that it might be too much.

“I put Cameron in the line-up without any fear, and I have to say he did very well.”

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